The Senior Communications Manager, reporting to the Executive Director of Marketing and Communications will thrive in a fast-paced environment; enjoy being part of a growing collaborative team and working with a wide variety of external and internal audiences and collaborators. The Manager will have the ability to multitask quickly and professionally in response to competing demands in a fast paced, dynamic higher education environment. The successful candidate will have patience, flexibility, a high level of professionalism, a keen sense of priorities and breadth of change management acumen, and a superb level of tact and discretion. 

Responsible for external and internal communications across and overseeing several university channels, the role prepares content, articles, media, news releases and other content initiatives to cultivate and maintain relationships with media representatives and others to inform and support communications across the diverse audiences.

Serves as an essential member of the University's crisis and communication team and may be required to work outside of typical business hours.

This is a term limited position anticipated to start as soon as possible with an end date of up to one year from the date of hire.

Responsibilities:

• Work closely with A&M University-San Antonio leaders, System leaders and communications personnel at member institutions to develop a media relations strategy.

• Establish and build relationships with reporters on a city, state, and national level, including professional publications and media outlets.

• Respond to media requests and support university spokespersons.

• Promote stories and content including institutional priorities, initiatives, programs, events, strategies and issues.

• Contribute to issues management and crisis communications needs and responses.

• Write, edit and distribute content and materials including press releases, university website and other channels.

• Leverage system and university relationships with media partners.

• Manage the university's digital news site.

• Advise and support social media strategies and partners from across the institution.

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

• This document represents the major duties, responsibilities, and authorities of this job, and is not intended to be a complete list of all tasks and functions. Other duties may be assigned.

• Identify opportunities to promote print materials using on line media.

• Serve as the primary media contact.

• Initiate contact and develop working relationships with media as appropriate.

• Respond to media requests in coordination with management and program staff

• Research, write, edit and distribute news releases, media advisories, opinion columns and feature stories.

• Prepare talking points and presentations for the executive director on request.

• Provide editorial services to management and program staff on request for journal articles, meeting agendas, letters, memos, reports and other-related documents.

• Coordinate responses to inquiries submitted by the public to communications staff.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Public Relations, English, Journalism or related field. 

• Five years of professional experience in public relations and communications, including writing and editing for websites, social media and print publications. 

• At least three years' experience in managing a strategic communications program, including creating and implementing communications strategies and plans. 

• At least two years' experience in developing and managing content for an organization's online and social media sites. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in relevant field. Five to seven years of experience with strategic communications.

• At least two years' experience in managing or supervising employees; and developing unit budgets and developing unit strategic planning.

• Experience working for a University or large academic institution.

• Experience with media relations. Demonstrated ability to make complex subject matter accessible and compelling to a range of audiences with varying levels of education.

• Experience in digital deign and production for print or digital communications.

• Familiarity with various media organizations and journalists in Texas and the U.S.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Experience in communicating to and working with diverse constituencies.

• Demonstrated ability of journalism best practices (print and broadcast).

• Demonstrated ability to produce content communicating complex ideas across multiple audiences served by the university.

• Understanding of higher education environment.

• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines while producing quality communications materials.

• The ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and support diverse internal communications needs.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills and professional demeanor.

• Ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Please make sure to provide the following documents:

1) Application

2) Cover Letter to include two professional references

3) Resume

For detailed instructions on how to apply for any positions on our website, please use the following link: